The mayor of the palace (the leading palace official) became the real power in the kingdom.

Charlemagne

Charles became the sole ruler of the Frankish kingdom. His influence over Europe resulted in his title Charlemagne (SHAR luh mane), or “Charles the Great.”

Manor

The estate on which most people lived was known as a manor.

Pope

Pope means “papa”

Papal power

The power of a pope.

Pope Innocent III

Pope Innocent III, he took the title “vicar of Christ” and claimed to have supreme authority over all.

Medieval Warm Period

Beginning in the eleventh century, there was a warming of the climate in Europe known as the Medieval Warm Period. This provided a longer growing season and further enabled the farmers to grow more crops.

William the Conqueror

The conqueror of England in 1066

Henry II

William’s grandson whom replaced the dynasty established by William the Conqueror

Circuit courts

The idea of circuit court was created by Henry II and used judges who heard cases in a particular province (circuit) of England

Hugh Capet

the count of Paris, at the end of the 10th century, whom founded a new royal line in France.

Phillip II

Phillip II continued the thrust to develop a strong monarchy in France

Baillis

Royal officials sent out by Phillip II

A jury

A group of local citizens

Indictments.

Lists of accusations

Common law

Uniform laws all across of England

Magna Carta

“Great Charter”

Parliament

During the reign of Edward I, Parliament developed. It began as a group of advisors to the king. By the fourteenth century, Parlia- ment was composed of two groups. The leading vassals were rep- resented in the prominent group (House of Lords) and the knights and leading citizens were represented in the less prominent group (House of Commons).

Power of the purse

Through the “power of the purse,” Parliament could limit the king’s power.

Interdict

the people were denied access to most of the sacraments

Crusades

For centuries Christians had traveled to the Holy Land to visit holy sites. However, the Seljuk Turks cut off access to Jerusalem and other sites during the eleventh century. In response, Pope Urban II called for a crusade to liberate the Holy Land and defeat the infidels. This call was issued in 1095, and several armies traveled to the Middle East over the next two centuries. Only the First Crusade enjoyed a measure of success and gained control of a narrow strip of land for a brief period

The middle class

The middle class was composed of those who lived in towns and included the merchants, bankers, craftsmen, and other skilled laborers.

Bank

The word bank comes from the Italian word banca (BAHNG kuh), meaning “bench.” Moneychangers and early bankers sat on benches, and people referred to doing banking business as “going to the bench.”

A letter of credit

Banks issued letters of credit to wealthy merchants. To obtain a letter of credit, a merchant first left an amount of money with the banker, who gave him a letter that credited the merchant for that amount. Thus, the merchant could travel without having to carry large sums of money.

Reconquista

Driving out foreign powers became I’m another way to expand European culture and influence. In Chapter 2 you learned about the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Spain and Portugal) in the eighth century. The reconquest (Reconquista) of this peninsula began almost immediately. Christian and Muslim forces struggled for control of sections of this peninsula over the next five centuries.

Chivalry

Knights were trained to live by a strict set of rules called the “code of chivalry.” Chivalry comes from a French word meaning “horseman.”

Peace of God

The church decree known as the Peace of God placed church property out of bounds for fighting. This decree was also intended to protect those not directly involved in the fighting.

Truce of God

The Truce of God restricted fighting to certain days of the week. For example, combat was not allowed from Wednesday evening until Monday morning. While these decrees were not al- ways followed, an effort was made to improve conditions when fighting occurred.

The liberal arts

Students were trained in the liberal arts. These stud- ies were reserved for “free” (liberei) men (nobility) rather than “common” men. All subjects were taught in Latin.

Cathedrals

During this period in Europe, architecture often centered on the construction of cathedrals. Growing towns and cities displayed their wealth and prosperity by building these large and impressive churches

Romanesque

During the early Middle Ages, the architectural style was called Romanesque (ROH muh NESK) because it used many elements of Roman style. This style used rounded vaults (made from putting several arches together) for roofs. Thick stone walls were needed to support these heavy roofs. These buildings were dark inside because only small windows could be used. Candles and torches were used to provide some light. But Romanesque churches were dark and cold.

Gothic

Gothic cathedrals were warmer and brighter. Stained-glass windows added beauty and color to the interior of the churches. These windows often used arranged pieces of colorful glass to picture Bible stories.

Flying buttresses

External support that allowed cathedrals to have thinner and higher walls.

Vernacular

(common spoken languages)

Dante

Dante, an Italian, wrote the Divine Comedy, a poem about an imaginary journey through hell, purgatory, and paradise. His work sheds light on the unrest and skepticism of the late Middle Ages.

Chauce

Chaucer, an English poet, wrote The Canterbury Tales, which is about a group of pilgrims traveling to visit the tomb of a famous religious leader in England. He gives the reader a glimpse of English life during this period.

The Great Famine of 1315

The Great Famine of 1315 was the first calamity to strike large areas of Europe during this period. It began with heavy and frequent rain over much of Europe starting in 1315. The spring and summer remained cool, and the crops rotted in the fields.

Hundreds Years’ War

Between 1337 and 1453, England and France fought a series of battles to settle the issue of English control of land in France. This became known as the Hundred Years’ War.

Edward III

The English king, Edward III, was related to the French royal line through his mother and claimed the right to the French throne.

Joan of Arc

The French finally rallied to victory under the leadership of a peasant girl named Joan of Arc. She believed that she was being directed from heaven to drive out the English. Desperate for a leader, the French followed her and defeated the English. The English were able to capture her and burned her at the stake. However, her example strengthened the French to emerge as victors.

Black Death

Historians differ on how the plague known as the Black Death originated and was spread. However, there is no doubt that something similar to the bubonic plague killed millions of people throughout the world. Europe suffered a great loss of people as this plague spread from city to city and engulfed whole countries.